Dead Of Winter (Willis/Carter #1)(64)

‘We’ll have to talk to Martingale about the Bloodrunners soon. Now that the papers have got hold of it, everyone will know, including Carmichael.’





Chapter 40


It was five o’clock and Carmichael was walking towards the Lansdown when his mobile rang.

‘Hello, Hart speaking.’

‘It’s Linda.’

‘Linda the “girl next door”? How’s business been?’

‘Times are hard . . . you can imagine.’ Carmichael smiled to herself. ‘Thought you might want to rescue me from Christmas hell. I have some information about Sonny for you.’

‘Coffee or drink?’

‘Drink.’

‘Right answer. Meet you in an hour outside Liberty’s.’

‘Can we go to your place instead? I’ve had enough of crowds.’

‘Okay. I’m staying at the Lansdown Ambassador’s Suite. See you shortly.’

Thirty minutes later Nikki de Lange knocked on his door.

‘Hope you don’t mind?’ She walked into the room. ‘Can we have a drink in your room here? I don’t like crowds.’ She took off her coat and put it across the back of the chair.

‘No problem.’ He opened the fridge for her to choose.

‘White wine will be great.’ She made herself comfortable by the coffee table.

He poured a large glass and handed it to her.

‘Wonderful, thank you.’ She smiled as she took it from him and took a slug. ‘This is a major outing for me. Don’t get out much.’

‘Apart from going to strange men’s houses and being paid for sex, you mean?’ He poured himself a glass of wine too and said a silent cheers.

‘One person’s house.’ She smiled and looked away.

‘You said it was your second time.’

‘I lied.’

He smiled. ‘So your career as an escort hasn’t had the best of starts.’

‘I did get paid three hundred pounds.’

‘I gave you that.’ He grinned.

‘Yeah . . . but it still counts.’

He laughed. ‘I’m in credit, then.’ She looked up enquiringly. He shook his head, grinning. ‘Don’t worry. It’s not my style.’

‘Have you ever tried it?’

‘What . . . paying for sex?’ He nodded. ‘Yeah . . . when I was young and with the boys . . . got to admit to doing it but not sure what the outcome was – was too drunk. Woke up with the condom still on so I guess we can be sure I didn’t catch anything.’ She laughed. He realized it was a long time since he had heard a woman laugh. ‘So you stay at home most days and do what?’

‘Sell things on eBay.’

‘Entrepreneurial type, then.’

‘I try.’

‘You make enough to earn a living?’

‘On a good day.’

‘Have you always been self-employed?’

‘No. I was a nurse once, many years ago.’ Nikki smiled. She had concocted the story late the night before and as she said it out loud for the first time it had a clichéd feel to it. But she knew that it was better to stay in the ‘almost truth’ zone than venture into completely unknown territory. If he wanted to know anything medical she could more than hold her own. She was taught by her father. But she hoped she didn’t need to worry about that. She could see that she’d already begun to charm Mr Hart. ‘I married a doctor. We couldn’t have kids. I just hung around at home waiting for him to come back every day, trying to please him. In the end he left me for another doctor. Said our lives were dull. I had to agree. I didn’t want anything from him. I agreed to the split. I agreed to the fact that he had earned all of the money in our marriage. Of course I didn’t realize we’d been living way beyond our means and there were more debts than anything else and they were all in my name. He moved to France with his new wife and here I am. What about you, Mr Hart?’

Carmichael sat down opposite her. ‘I’ve just arrived here in London. Been living out of a suitcase. I’ll be happy to put down some roots. I’m waiting to get a licence for a new nightclub, takes a while. What did you want to tell me about Sonny?’

‘I saw the news. Sonny’s body being pulled out of the Thames.’ Carmichael didn’t comment. He drank his wine. ‘Was that your business with Sonny? Was it getting girls for your club? I know that’s what he does, did; one of the girls who got me into escorting told me she used to date him.’

‘Your information?’

‘I haven’t really got any information. Just felt like seeing you, that’s all.’

He sat back to observe her. ‘Why?’

‘I wanted to say thanks.’

‘Thanks for what? You might have earned a lot more from Sonny.’

She shrugged and smiled. ‘Maybe but it didn’t suit me – escorting. I wanted to see you today because I need a job. I need a life. You’re new in town. You look like you’re going places. I do have a lot to offer the right man. It’s just that no one sees my potential.’ He smiled. ‘It’s not funny . . . I thought maybe I could be of use to you . . . I need a break. I need to get a job but I was never any good at cleaning floors or wiping kids’ noses. I’ve decided escort work’s not for me. I thought maybe . . . you know . . . we could see how it goes?’